Though he went to rehab twice last year, in July and September, sobriety is apparently still an elusive concept for Richie Sambora. The Bon Jovi guitarist was arrested late last night and cited for driving under the influence in Laguna Beach. Police also confirmed that he had a female passenger in the car with him, who TMZ is reporting was his 10-year-old daughter Ava. Ava’s mother is Sambora’s ex-wife Heather Locklear.

The Lost Highway rocker was administered several field sobriety tests, all of which he failed, and was taken into custody just after 11 p.m.

Once at the nearby police station, the rocker, whom cops described as being “very cooperative,” opted to take a blood test in lieu of a Breathalyzer. His blood-alcohol level has yet to be released, though police say there was no indication of drugs in his system.

Sambora was booked, briefly housed and released from the station just after 4 a.m. Wednesday morning on his own recognizance.

My mind will never cease to be boggled by the sheer amount of celebrities who cannot seem to afford to call a cab or a car service. I’d be interested to find out if the percentage of DUIs is higher for famous people, or if it just seems that way because they get attention for it. Driving drunk is absolutely inexcusable, driving drunk with your 10-year-old in the car is beyond my comprehension. And I have to say that – while it’s never a good idea to piss off your ex – it’s an extra bad idea to do that when your ex is Heather Locklear. I obviously don’t know the woman, but she just has that, “Mess with me and I’ll grind your balls into the cement,” expression on her face all the time. I can only imagine what would happen if you messed with her kid.

Seriously, the celebrity DUI thing is so played out that I can’t even summon righteous indignation anymore. It’s really sad that this has become so commonplace that it just merits a shoulder shrug.

Here’s Richie Sambora with ex-wife Heather Locklear and daughter Ava at the “Perfect Man” premiere in June of 2005. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Update by Celebitchy: US Weekly reports that three other females were in the car, two of them juveniles, according to police. That probably means that one of Ava’s friends was n the car, along with another adult passenger. TMZ notes that Sambora could be charged with child endangerment.

that’s too bad, I’m sure Heather will use it to keep the kid away from him (not that I can blame her). Apparently, she has her own problems so the little girl has TWO parents with major issues. I’ve never liked Heather, btw, she seems like a self-centered, typically Hollywood, vain person and he seems like a tool. I wonder if Denise will pounce back at him now that he’s in trouble and probably needing some sympathy.

Well, I have to say that if that were my child’s father, I probably would never allow her in the car with him again. Rumor is that Heather has a problem with alcahol too and she’s a partier from way back. Let’s just hope that Ava doesn’t have two parents who drive under the influence. I’ve been a Richie fan for years, but there is no excuse for driving under the influence, especially when you can afford a driver. Take a limo people!

This couple had it all…Watching how they kill themselves slowly is the most painful of all hollywood couples. Their child will carry the wounds though long after we have forgotten their names. To both..grow up. Your daughter needs you. This is no longer about your own egos. Both of you need to live and walk a 12 step porogram so that your daughter can have a life that is not seeded by your own errors.